Mark Cloutier Takes Helm of Nation’s 2nd Largest Red Cross Region

He brings experience in creating resilient and self-sustaining communities, a passion for volunteers, and the thoughtful approach of a well-tested leader.

Posted May 23, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 23, 2013) — After an extensive search, the American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State Region and the Bay Area Chapter announce Mark Cloutier as its new Regional Chief Executive Officer, beginning June 24. Cloutier is currently the Program Director for Public Policy, Community Health, and Civic Engagement at The San Francisco Foundation.

“I consider it a deep honor to be a part of the excellence that the American Red Cross represents in the history of the Bay Area, Central Coast, and around the world,” said Cloutier. “I think most people see the work the Red Cross does across the country, and when needed, around the world as serving individuals and communities in their most vulnerable moments. I want everyone to see that the Red Cross is about more than responding to tornadoes or collecting blood. Every 18 hours, our local Red Cross region is helping dozens of people affected by local disasters. Every day, thousands of local residents are receiving lifesaving training. I look forward to working with the Region’s dedicated volunteers, employees, board members, and our generous community and corporate partners in providing the Red Cross humanitarian services and lifesaving education to those living and working in our Region, especially the most vulnerable.”

In his new position, Cloutier will oversee the Red Cross services in the Bay Area, Monterey Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and Silicon Valley Chapters. With nearly 8 million residents in the 10-county region, and averaging nearly 700 local disasters each year, it is one of the busiest regions in the Red Cross. More than 7,000 volunteers, including 3,000 youth volunteers, ensure the Red Cross fulfills its mission within the Gateway to the Golden State Region.

“We are looking forward to having Mark join the Bay Area Chapter and the Gateway to the Golden State Region,” said Mark Bryggman, Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge of the community, and a leadership style, which will build upon our strengths and lead us to continued success in meeting the mission of the Red Cross.”

“From a pool of enormously talented individuals, all of whom were drawn to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross, we enthusiastically selected Mark Cloutier,” said Jolinda Sim, Chair of the Search Committee and member of the Region’s Board of Directors. “He brings experience in creating resilient and self-sustaining communities, a passion for volunteers, and the thoughtful approach of a well-tested leader. We believe he will further the Red Cross mission within our community as our organization continues to provide food and shelter in emergencies, assist members of our armed forces and their families, teach lifesaving skills, and more.”

Cloutier is succeeding Harold W. Brooks, who left the Bay Area to take a national leadership position in January 2013 and is now the Senior Vice President for International Operations at the American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“I know I am filling very big shoes. I had the privilege of working with Harold and experienced his warmth, empathy, and vision,” shared Cloutier. “We have the opportunity to build on Harold’s successes by increasing the capacity of our communities, particularly in vulnerable communities, and ensuring that our local residents, organizations, and companies have the resources and the infrastructure in advance of a disaster to respond during a disaster and quickly return to their vitality after a disaster.”

Cloutier has demonstrated executive leadership in a variety of roles spanning public health, non-profit organizations, government, and philanthropy. Currently, he leads The San Francisco Foundation’s activities and initiatives to correct health disparities by expanding access to care, promoting community based prevention, and advancing health reform. He also leads the Foundation’s efforts to address state budget issues by supporting economic and policy analysis identifying opportunities for economic growth and reform of California’s tax and budget environments. Prior to The San Francisco Foundation, he was a principal at Sellers Dorsey, a consulting firm serving corporate and public organizations in health care finance.

Cloutier was CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation from 2005 to 2010, where he led its transformation into a thought leader on evidence-based strategies to control and end the HIV epidemic. Concurrently, he was also president of the Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation, an affiliate of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, where he oversaw the development of the strategic plan and the execution of the business strategy addressing the HIV epidemics in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Lewis and Clark College and Master's degrees in Public Policy and Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, connect with your local Chapter: